Chennai Rain Havoc: Schools, Colleges Shut Across Tamil Nadu Today | Top Updates

The Tamil Nadu government declared a holiday for schools and colleges in four northern districts-Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu-on Wednesday, October 16, as heavy rains continue to batter the state, according to reports from PTI.

"Due to the likelihood of isolated extremely heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu on October 16, the government has declared a public holiday tomorrow," stated the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).

Government offices, including public undertakings, corporations, and boards, will remain closed in the affected districts. However, essential services like police, fire, hospitals, milk and water supply, transport, and other emergency operations will continue as usual.

"Shops and other commercial establishments will also remain open," clarified the CMO.

Intermittent rain on Tuesday led to knee-deep water on roads in several residential areas of Chennai. In flood-prone Ram Nagar, residents parked their vehicles on the Velachery bridge as a precaution. Over 300 locations in the city experienced flooding, disrupting public transport services. Officials deployed pumps to clear the water, and no major incidents were reported, apart from a minor wall collapse and a related injury.

Disaster response teams, equipped with over 200 boats, have been stationed in vulnerable areas across the state. In Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, and Kancheepuram, 931 relief centres have been set up, with IAS officers monitoring the situation round the clock.

The Southern Railway cancelled four express trains, including the Chennai Central-Mysuru Kaveri Express. Other trains were diverted, starting from Avadi instead of Chennai Central. Several domestic flights were also cancelled at Chennai airport.

Chief Minister MK Stalin oversaw flood relief operations and urged officials to expedite water drainage in flooded areas. He also praised civic workers for their efforts and assured them of his full support. Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin inspected lakes in Chennai to ensure smooth rainwater flow and visited the city's command centre to monitor ongoing relief work.

On Tuesday, localities like Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam in Chennai received heavy rainfall of 13 cm and 10 cm, respectively. The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) upgraded the orange alert to a red alert for Chennai, predicting isolated extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm on Wednesday.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast more rain over the next two days, with a depression forming over the Bay of Bengal. "Heavy to very heavy rain, with isolated extremely heavy falls, is likely in Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, and Chennai districts," according to an IMD bulletin.